It’s been more than three weeks since it was revealed that the state Office of Inspector General was investigating Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Mike Stack about allegations of abuse of staff.
On April 11, Stack acknowledged the investigation for what he called “staffing issues.”
In a rare, if not unprecedented move, it was Gov. Tom Wolf who ordered the investigation.
Wolf would not say when he became aware of the allegations of repeated verbal abuse by Stack and his wife of his state police security detail and staff at his state-provided residence.
“I'm focused on protecting employees here in the state, and I started a process that I think is fair to both the employees and the lieutenant governor,” Wolf said. “I'd really like to let that process unfold and keep this from becoming bigger than it deserves to be.”
The issue was big enough that Wolf, on April 21, stripped Stack of his security detail and reduced the number of staffers at the residence.
Wolf said the “process is not completely finished,” but he would not commit to making the results of the investigation public.
“I haven't seen the final product, so I, again, I think we all need to let this process unfold whatever the final results are of the investigation," he said.
Wolf is up for reelection next year and the primary is scheduled for May 15, 2018. He would not say if he wanted Stack to be his running mate.
“The lieutenant governor [candidate] runs in the primary apart from the candidate or candidates for governor," Wolf said. "So that’s going to be up to the voters of Pennsylvania."
However, in the general election, the nominees for governor and lieutenant governor appear together on the ballot. So, does Wolf want Stack on the Democratic ticket?
“I’ll abide by the decision of the people of Pennsylvania," he said.
